Emeka Ibemere
The Lagos State Police Command has arrested two
traders in Alaba International Market, for attempting robbery and murder in
Isheri area of the state.
Anthony Nwogu and Nnaemeka
Njoku were arrested on March 21 2013, while on their illegal duty.
According
to police authorities, Nwogu, Njoku and other persons at large were robbers,
even as the suspects claimed that they were assassins.
It was
gathered that they claimed that they were out to kill one Afam Anazodo at his
home when policemen stopped them for another offence.
It was
learnt that after interrogation, Nwogu also confessed that he was going to
murder Anazodo, he described as a wicked businessman.
A police
source said, “In the afternoon of March 21, Nwogu and another person he
identified as Oyinbo were attempting to snatch a car at gunpoint around
Satellite Town when policemen sighted them. On seeing the policemen, they threw
a gun they were using into the nearby bush and fled.
“Nwogu was
later arrested while the other guy escaped. Upon interrogation, he confessed
that they were on their way to murder Anazodo, adding that they needed the
vehicle for transport.
“He also
confessed that the gun was licensed but did not belong to him.”
Nwogu said
Anazodo deserved to be killed because of the wicked manner which he operated
his business.
He said,
“I own four shops in Alaba Market where I sell label compact discs. However,
Afam (Anazodo) outsells us through his wicked schemes. We had reported him to
policemen, but he always managed to go scot-free while our business suffered.
“One day,
I approached another colleague of mine, Nnaemeka Njoku, who owns a licensed
gun. I told him that he should lend me the gun and that I wanted to use it for
an operation. He agreed but said I would have to give him my car as collateral
and he would return it to me after I had returned the gun.
“I had
planned with Oyinbo that we would storm Afam’s house and kill him. I don’t know
how to use a gun so Oyinbo agreed that he would pull the trigger. On our way to
Afam’s house, we decided that it would be better if we used a stolen car to
carry out our operation to avoid being traced. It was while we were trying to
snatch a car that policemen arrested me.”
It was learnt that the owner of the gun, Njoku, had also been arrested by policemen
at Area E Command.
It was
learnt that upon searching his home, policemen also recovered a bulletproof
vest.
Njoku, who
claimed to own seven shops in the same market, said he had no hand in the crime
as he only lent Nwogu his gun.
“My
pump-action gun is licensed. I have seven shops and I import kitchen utensils.
I did not join them in the operation and I should be released,” he said.
The
spokesperson for the state police command, Ngozi Braide, said the suspects
would soon be charged to court.
“A
double-barrelled gun was recovered from them and they will be charged with
attempted murder,” she said.
No comments:
Post a Comment